Directives
For Teives
Chaf
Teives - The Yom Hilula of the Rambam
The
Rambam intended his masterpiece, Mishneh Torah, to
be learned by all Jews in all generations. Certainly, his yahrtzeit,
the day commemorating the histalkus of such a great tzaddik,
should be observed by and lead to an increase in Torah and mitzvos
by everyone. (Sicha Motzaei Chaf Teives 5750)
One
of the best ways to observe the Rambam’s yahrtzeit is to
learn Mishneh Torah, because it discusses the laws of the
entire Torah. It even discusses laws pertaining to the times of
the Beis HaMikdash [which other works of halacha do
not mention because of it’s limited practical application at the
moment], as well as the laws that will apply when the Beis
HaMikdash is rebuilt. To observe the day in the proper
spirit, it is a good idea to begin to participate in the study of
the Mishneh Torah, or to increase the quality of one’s
present study. Some people are able to learn regularly three
chapters a day, some one chapter a day, and some learn Seifer
HaMitzvos instead. It is especially apropos to learn the laws
pertaining to Moshiach, which are found in the final two chapters
of “Hilchos Melachim” at the end of Mishneh Torah.
(Sicha Shmos 5752)
In
addition, it is a good idea to convince others — men, women, and
children — to do everything mentioned above. The Rambam’s yahrtzeit
is a good time to mention again that those who have the
opportunity should exert greater effort in promoting the daily
study of Mishneh Torah, [by organizing or teaching shiurim,
or] by studying three chapters a day, in order to complete the
whole seifer each year. (Sicha Motzaei Chaf Teives 5750)
Giving
tzedaka is always an appropriate response on a yahrtzeit,
especially [if one can give to those institutions or causes
specifically] related to the baal ha’hilula, as the Alter
Rebbe explains in Igeres HaKodesh and Igeres HaTeshuva. Additionally,
there should be farbrengens everywhere marking the yahrtzeit
of the Rambam. (Sicha Shmos 5751)
Chaf-Dalet
Teives - Yom Hilula of the Alter Rebbe
On
the day of the yahrtzeit, it is appropriate for everyone to
increase in all matters of holiness, especially with matters
connected to the Alter Rebbe’s deeds, teachings, and avoda.
All of the increases made on the day of the yahrtzeit
should continue throughout the year. For example, it would be
proper for everyone, including women, to make or add to set times
for learning the Alter Rebbe’s Torah, by studying his Shulchan
Aruch and Tanya. Those who are able should learn a
chapter of Tanya before davening, before saying “Hareini
Mekabel.” People should decide on their own if [from day to
day] they will learn the chapters consecutively or in another way
that makes sense to them. This custom should be publicized and
strengthened. (Shmos 5749 and 5750, VaEira 5751, Acharei 5749)
In
addition, it is appropriate at this time to add set times to study
Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah, especially the “Chassidishe
parasha,” and to study the Alter Rebbe’s drushim,
which were recently printed, as well as his Nigla sfarim. (Lech
Lecha 5749, footnote 29; Chayei Sara 5752; Shmos 5749)
It
is especially worthwhile to learn the sfarim mentioned
above with the explanations of the Rebbeim. There are explanations
in Nigla of the Alter Rebbe, and the works of the Mitteler Rebbe
on piskei dinim were recently printed. There are also
commentaries of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbeim who followed
him. Of course, many explanations exist in pnimiyus ha’Torah
(Chassidus), as well. (Shmos 5749, VaEira 5751)
The
public should also increase in learning Torah with “shnei ohr”
[two lights, suggested by the first name of the Alter Rebbe,
Shneur], by incorporating both Nigla and pnimiyus ha’Torah
as one. (Shmos 5749)
In
addition to everyone’s personal set times for learning, there
should also be public shiurim in Shulchan Aruch and Tanya.
Those venues that already offer shiurim can hold extra
classes, or longer periods of study.
The
yahrtzeit is an appropriate time as well to increase in
other areas of the Alter Rebbe’s avoda, for example, in
giving tzedaka, etc., and in general, in spreading the
wellsprings of Chassidus outward. “Great is study for it leads
to action!” (Shmos 5750)
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